Published: January 08, 2008 11:56 am      

River approaches flood stage

Rain and melted snow from record-setting high temperatures have brought the Elkhart River to flood stage in Goshen, according to Earl Breon of the National Weather Service.

The river is expected to crest at 7.9 feet, 0.9 of a foot above flood stage.

“Flood stage is determined differently for each river based on what levels things become impacted,” Breon said. “For example, roads becoming impassable and fields flooding.”

According to rough estimates by Breon, the river will crest early Thursday morning, with low flood stage receding to normal status by Saturday morning. New river forecasts from the National Weather Service had not yet been released.

Lingering showers are all that remain of Monday night’s storm, with a chance of rain showers continuing into this evening and temperatures turning cooler Wednesday.

Monday’s high temperature in the Goshen area set a new record for that date, according to Goshen weather observers.

The high mark was 63 degrees, beating out the 56-degree record set on Jan. 7, 1989. Monday’s average temperature was 30 above normal.

The temperature reached 61 degrees overnight, topping the previous high temperature record of 60 degrees set for this date in 1965. Overnight, 2.43 inches of rain fell, topping the old record of 1.4 inches set on this date in 1965.

According to Jeff Taylor, manager of transportation for Elkhart County, roads in the county during the early morning hours were showing some signs of flooding, with more flooding expected to occur throughout the day.

“We’ve had a little bit, and we’re expecting more today,” Taylor said. “We’ll have to see how it goes.”

As for any problem areas, Taylor said that signs of flooding are spread pretty evenly across the county, especially in areas of low elevation.

“It’s pretty much everywhere,” Taylor said. “With the rain we’re having, and the creeks and rivers flooding, we expect more flooding to occur, particularly in the low-lying areas.”

Taylor noted that no county roads had yet been closed due to flooding as of 8 a.m. today, however he was unsure as to whether or not that would remain the case as the day wears on.

Goshen Street Department officials reported only one road closure due to flooding. C.R. 38 east of U.S. 33 was closed because some cars were getting stuck.

In Kosciusko County, several roads were reported closed this morning. Six roads were completely closed, with another nine or 10 that could close later later today, according to Sgt. Chad Hill of the Sheriff’s Department.

The following roads were closed as of this morning:

• Packerton Road between 600 and 700 South

• County Farm Road between Ind. 14 and 1200 South

• C.R. 700 South between C.R. 875 and C.R. 1000 West

• East County Line Road between C.R. 1100 North and King Arthur Trail

• C.R. 550 South between Ind. 15 and C.R. 200 West

• C.R. 450 South between County Farm Road and Country Club Road